The Story of Paul and Paula

Paul and Paula.jpg

Source: Supplied / Tim Macnamara

Paul Kurtz arrived in Australia on the Dunera. Paula was trapped in Vienna with her mother. Paula’s letters to Paul were discovered many years after they both passed away.


Professor Tim McNamara (AM) is the former Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne, and taught Applied Linguistics for many years.

We talk to Tim about a manuscript that he’s recently completed. The protagonists of the book are Paul and Paula Kurz. Paul arrived in Australia on the Dunera. Paula was trapped in Vienna with her mother. Paula’s letters to Paul were discovered many years after they both passed away. Tim happened to meet Paul about half a century ago, when he was a student at Melbourne University. The book neatly weaves together those early personal encounters, the stories of Paul and Paula, and the fate of the Jews of Vienna.

If you would like to get in touch with Tim Macnamara, please contact him

Share